Fire extinguisher



Get. 23, 1928.

G. T. PEARSONS FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed June 28. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVE N TOR Oct. 23, 1928.

G. T. PEARsoNs FIRE EXTINGUI SHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- Filed June 28 1920IN VEN TOR Patented Oct. 23, 1928.

Gao -ton T PEABSONi: on NE YOQBK; n,

FIRE EXTINGUISHELR-W Applicationfiled June 28:, 1929 Serial No 392224.

This invention relates to lire extinguishers inwhich a fi-reextinguishing liquidin a con tainer is eXpclledby placing the liquidunder a fluid expelling pressure when the liquid is to be dischargedfrom the container, and it is the,

main object ofth'e invention to provide an improved chemical gasgeneratorto createon generate gas by the uniting ormixmgof gas;

generatingmaterials in the generator to constitute the expellingpressure for the liquid 1 and to provide outlet means for the generated.leading into the container tromthe generating ch amber at apoint-remote from that portion of the chamber in which the united gasgenerating materials are reacting in allpositions oit the generator-toprevent the entrainment of the gas generating materials with thegenerated gas tron' the genratorinto the container.

It is afurther objectot the invention to proviso a gas generator forthisflpurpose in which the generatingmaterials are main tained in aseparated condition in the normal upright position of the generator andadapted to unitewhen the generator is inverted, and having outlet meanswith the outlet leading; into the container above the level of theliquid" in the container in the normal position of? the eXt-ingnisherand the inlet to said outlet means being located at a pointsubstantiallycentrally otthe generator Chilll'lllfll'." It is anotherobjcct of theinvention to provide a carrier or holder for the generator tosuspend thesame in the container, said carrier having an outlet port or ports forthe generated gas opening into the container above the level of theliquid therein in the normal position of the extiuguish er.

A- still furt-hcr object e f-the invention rolatesto a chemicalgenerator including a generating chamber and'areceptacle earl 1i ng anacid, such hydrochloric or suloacid, constituting'oneofthe genarrangedto carry another gas generating ma,

terial in the form ofa dry substance, such as ceptacle in the normalposition of (the generaton-and said means also arranged to place the ofmaterials in said chamber, with means, through which the generated gasis discharged.

acida'eceptacle into and remove it from the generating chamber as wellas position said receptacle at oneend of the generating chant her in allpositions thereof;

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying and forming apart ofth is specificationIhave shown airem odimentlof my inventionapplied to a fireextinguisherin which Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation. i i I Fig.Qis asectional sidetelevation ofthet chemical gas generator showingainodification of the outlet means for the generator and a holder orcarrier forgsuspendingthe generator in the container for the fireextinguishing liquid of the extinguisher;

Fig 3 is .a view similar to Fig. l'showinga V. modification of thechemical gas generator; and Figs. 4: and -5 are sectional sideelevations showing modified forms ofthe chemicalgas generatorshowninFig-l,

Similar characters of reference designate like parts throughout thedifi'erenoviewsof" the drawings. i i i M In Fig.; 1 ofthe drawingsl haveshown an embodimentofmy invention-in connection with afireextinguishercomprising arcserVOir or container 6 tor-the fireextinguishing liquid having a discharge outlet? and anopening in a head-8' at the top having a removable-c10 sure 9.-

To create or generate afluid pressure in the container to expel the fireextinguishing liquid from the discharge outlet a chemical gas generatoris prov ded ;compr1s1ng a chamber or,

,l'eceptacle 10 open at" one endand having a tioned on said firingebylugs :13 onthe closure ll-engaging or lying contigi ous to the olo;eure9 mor openinginthelheadfdl I l l receptacle, suchfas a'b ottle 15,carrying an acid as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid, and constitutingtone of the, gasgenei'ating mate rials, is seated in a,tuhularmeinberllmeme ed in the chamber said "niei'nbfer; being of less sectional areathanrthe ohamber to, pros vide a space between t e mustrnarmm 21 in thestructure shown in Figure 1, into the generating chamber with the inletsub stantially centrally thereof. As the generator is set in operationby inverting the same the acid from the receptacle 15 will be dischargedonto the disc 33 and will flow from the latter to the top, which is thenthe bottom of the generating chamber, where it will unite with the soda.The disc 33 also serves as a baflie for the generated gas to furtherinsure the prevention of the entrainment of the gas generating materialswith the discharged gas. 7

The modification shown in Fig. 4 is similar to that shown in Figure 3with the exception that the carrier 28 for the acid receptacle isomitted and the discharge tube is arranged with a band carrying spider86 having bayo net slots therein to cooperate with pins 38 projectingfrom a band 39 about the neck of the acid receptacle to place thereceptacle into and remove it from the generating chamber and which maybe simultaneous with the applying and removing of the closure fromthegenerating chamber. The bicarbonate of soda is carried in a holder 40having a perforated bottom slidably mounted on the outlet tube and inthe normal upright position of the generator supported upon a disk 41lixed tothe outlet tube. The holder also has projections 42 to engagethe top of the generator when inverted to provide an open space betweenthe holder and end of the generator to permit of the access of the acid.to an d uniting of the same with the soda. The disk ll also serves as abafiie to prevent entrainment of gas generating material with thedischarge of the generated gas.

' In the structure shown in Figure 5 the soda in the normal position ofthe generator is carried by disk 4'3 in a manner similar to that shownin Figures 1 and 2 with the exception that the member 14 is omitted, andthe disk has a bayonet joint. connection, with the acid receptaclesimilar to that shown in Figure 4:. I The disk 43 is carried by theoutlet tube 30 to place said disk and acid receptacle into thegenerating chamber and removing the latter from such chamber by theplacing and removing of the closure ll from the generating chamber.

The outlet tube 30 has an outlet port or ports 45 adjacent itsconnection with the closure 11 and an outlet port or ports 46substantially centrally of the generating chamber., A sleeve at? of lesslength than the out let tube is slidably mounted on the latter to havemovement between the closure 11 and an abutment 48 at the end of thetube within the chamber, and is operable to shut off the port or ports45 from the chamber when the port or ports 46 are open thereto and viceversa. Vhen the generator is inverted to set the same in operation thesleevewill cover the ports 45 and the discharge ofthe generated gas willbe through ports 46, and should the generator again be moved to uprightposition the sleeve will cover the ports 4:6 and open the ports l5. Bythisarrangement the inlet of the discharge tube of the generatingchamber is at all times remote from that portion of the generatingchamber in which reaction of the gas generating mate rials is takingplace.

It will be noted that in'all of the structures that while the acid inthe acid receptacle is at all times open to the generating chamber andsoda the gas generating materials are maintained in a separatedcondition, and that the outlet for the generated gas is above the liquidlevel in the normal upright position ofthe extinguisher. The fireextinguishing liquid used is carbon tetrachloride which is of a highlyevaporable naturewhen open to the air andto provide an open andunobstructed passage for the discharge outlet of the container 6 andatthe same timeseal the liquid in the container from the air, a liquidseal is provided for the outlet For this purpose a chamber 47 isconnected to the outlet 7 of the container, said chamber having anoutlet 4E8v to which a hose or discharge nozzle 49 may be connected, atube 50 being secured in-said outlet to extend into the chamber andconstitute a continuation of the outlet. The chamber is open at theupper end and has a removable closure 51. The portion of thechamberhaving the outlet extends somewhat below the connection of thechamber with the container outlet 7 and is filled with a liquid whichnon-volatile and non-miscible with the fire extinguishing liquid, shownat 52, glycerine having been found to answer this purpose.

A tubularcasing 53 integral with or secured to the closure extends overthe tube 50 and, into the liquid 52 thereby forming a trapv or pocketand sealing the outlets of the chamber and container from theatmosphere. In operation as the liquid in the container 6 is dischargedunder the force of the fluid expelling pressure the liquid will bedischarged intothe chamber 47' passing up into the easing 53 and fromsaid casing through the outlet tube 50 and connected hose 4:9.

By the arrangement of the connection of the closure 9 with the head 8for the opening therein, and the manner of supporting, the generatorfrom the head a space is provided between the top of the generator andthe closure 9 when the extinguisher is inverted by the engagement of theprojections 13,0f the generator closure with the closure 9 permitting ofthe entrance of fire extinguishing liquid and which will serve to sealthe connection of the closure 9 with the head preventing the escape ofthe generated fluid expelling pressure through said connection. In theuse of the holder 24 torthe generator shown loo lit)

in Figure 2 and, the arrangement of the discharge orifices 27 insuperposed relationas shown and spaced from the open end of the holderas the extinguisher is inverted, a space is provided between theendof'said holder and the ports therein and the closure 9 to pocket aportion of theYfi're extinguishing liquid to sealthe connection of theclosure 9 with the head 8, the arrangement of the orifiees 27 permittingentrance ofthe liquid to such pocket and the escape of the generated gasintothecontainer 6. a I T Having thus described my invention Iclaiinzf- 1. -Ina fire extinguishena liquid container having an outletabovethe normal liquid level, an opening in said container having aremovable cover, a gasgenerator-supported within the liquid container insubstantially axial alignment With said opening; said generator havingan'outlet which opens therefrom to the exterior thereof at a pointlocated above the normal liquid level of said container in the normalposition thereof; gas

generating materials in said generatorfheld in a separated condition inthe normal inoperative position'of the extinguisher and operable tounite When the containeris inverted to createa gas and place the liquidin the container under fluid pressurefto eject-the liquid from saidcontainer. a Y

2. The combination with a liquid carrying container havingan opening inthe top with aflreniovable closure, a gas generator in the container toplace the liquid therein 'under r the container withthe outlet for thedischarge of the generated gas into the confluid expelling pressure,comprising arecep' taclehaving an outlet leading'froin a pointsubstantially centrally of the receptacle, means in said receptacle tomaintain gas gen eratingmaterials in a separated condition in the"normalupright 'position thereo'f and adapted to unite'wheninverted, and meansto suspend the generator from the opening in tainer above the liquidlevel therein in the normal hosition of the container; a a

In generator for fluid pressure, a chamber, a receptacle for generatingmaterial in's aid chamber, means to carry am other gasgeneratingmaterial'in superposed relation tofthe receptacle arranged' toposition the receptacle at one end of thecha-mber, and anoutlet t'ubeleading from one end into the chamber and having aninlet sub{'stantially midway'of the chamber; 4:- Ina generator forfluid pressure;'a

chamber having an open end'with a 1Gl11OV- able closure; a receptaclefora gas generating material; means to place said receptacle intoand-remove it from the chamber and positioned at one end'of thereceptacle; meansgto carry another gas generating material in superposedrelation to the receptacle in the upright position of the'chamber and topermit the material in the receptacle to unite therewithiwhen thereceptacleis in verted'; and a n outlet tube'leading into the chamberfrom one end thereof and having an inlet, substantially midway ofthechamber. 5. In a generator for fluid pressure, a chamber {it receptaclein said ehan'iber for a gas generating material; an outlet tube lead inginto the chamber from one end and having an inlet substantiallycentrally ofrthe chamber; and means on said tube to carry another gasgenerating material above the inlet to the tube and in superposedrelation to thereceptacle in the normal position of the generator andwith which material the material inthe receptacle isiaidapted to unitewhen the generator is rinverte'd, and said ii'i'eansadapted to serve asa-bafile for the reacting "materials I when uniting in I all "posi tionso'it'the generator.

6. In a] generator for fluid pressure; a

chamber having an open end with a removable closure; an acid carrying"receptacle in sa d chamber an outlet tube extending from the closureinto the chamber having aninlet substantially centrally of the chamberand arranged-to position the receptacle atone end of the chamber in allpositions of the generator;fcooperating means arranged onthe tube andreceptacle toconnect the receptacle to the tube to place thereceptac-lefand remove same from the chamber; means mounted on the tubeto carry a dry substance above the inlet to thet-ube insuperposedrelation to the acidreceptacle and maintain said substance inseparated condition from theacid in the receptacle andperinit the acidtermite-therewith 'when the generator is inverted, said means-alsoserving as a battle for the reacting material in'all positions'otfthegenerator/ 8. In a-fire'extinguisher, a liquid container having;anoutlet above the normal liquid levehan opening'in said containerhaving a removable cover, a gas generatorromovably supported insubstantially axial alignment with said opening; gas generatingmaterials in said generator normally held 1m separated condition andoperable to unite whenthe container is inverted to create a. gaspressureto eject the liquid from said container and a' gas passage connectingthe interior of the gas generator with the exterior thereofat a pointabove the level of the liquid in said container in the normalinoperative position of the extinguisher. r v i 9. In a fireextinguisher, a liquid container having an outlet above the normalliquid level, an opening in said container having a removable cover,'agas generator supported in substantially axial alignment with saidopening, gas generating materials in said generator normally held in aseparated'con' dition and operable to unite when the containerisinverted to create a gas pressure to eject the liquid from saidcontainer, and an open passage from the interior of the generator to theexterior thereof having an opening therefrom above the liquid level insaid container in the normal inoperative position of the extinguisher,and an inlet within the generator located at a distance from thereacting gas generating materials when said container is inverted.

10. In a fire extinguisher, a liquid container having an outlet abovethe normal liquid level, an opening in said container having a removablecover, a gas generator supported in substantially axial alignment withsaid opening, gas generating materials in said generator normally heldin a separatedcondition and operable to unite when the container isinverted to create a gas pressure to eject the liquid from saidcontainer, and a passageconnecting the generator to the container inopen communication with said container having an opening to the exteriorof the generator located at a point abovethe liquid level in saidcontainer in the normal inoperative position of the extinguisher, and aninlet orifice within the generator located at a distance from thereacting gas generating materials when said container is inverted, andwhen said container is returned to its normal position after having beeninverted. I

11. In a fire extinguisher,a container for a liquid having an outlettherefrom above the normal liquid level, an opening in said containerhaving a removable cover, a gas generator removably supported insubstantially axial alignment with said openingto carry chemical meansnormally in a separated condition and operable when the container isinverted to unite and create pressure to eject the liquid from saidcontainer, and a passage connectingthe interior of the generator to theexterior thereof at a point free from contact with the liquid in thecontainer in the normal position of the container.

12. In a fire extinguisher, a container for a liquid having an outletabove the normal liquid level therein, an opening in said containerhaving a removable cover, a gasgenerator having a removable cover-andsupported adjacent said opening carrying chemical means normally held ina separated condition and operable when the container is inverted tounite to create pressure to expel the liquid from said container, apassage for taking the gas from the generator to the container when theextinguisher is inverted, said passage leading from the generator atapoint removed 13. In a tire extinguisher, a container for a liquidhaving an outlet above the normal liquid level therein and an openingwith removable cover, a gas generator removablysupported insubstantially axial, alignment with said opening and having a removablecover and arranged with a passage extending from within the generator towithin the container, the connection with the container being removedfrom contact of the liquid in said container in normal position thereof,chemical means in said generator normally held in a separated conditionand operable to unite to create pressure when the container isinvertedto eject the liquid from said container. a i i e 14-. In a fireextinguisher, a container for liquid having an outlet, an openingin saidcontainer with removable cover, agas generator pendantly supported insaid opening, gas generating materials in said generator normally heldin a separated condition and operable when the container is inverted tounite to create a pressure to expel the liquid from said-container, apassage from said generator opening therefrom above the normal liquidlevel in the container, said passage connecting with theinterior of thegenerat'or at a point distant from the position taken by the reacting,gas generating materials when the container has been invertedand-returned to normal position after inversion.

15. In a fire extinguisher, aliquid carrying container having an outlettherefrom above the normal liquid level therein and an opening with aremovable cover, a gas generator in said container carrying chemicalmeans in a separated condition to create a pressure when the containeris inverted to eject theIliquid from said container, and having opencommunieation with a portion of the liquid carrying container above thegas generator in the normal position of the container.

16 Ina fire extinguisher a liquid container for fire extinguishingliquid, a'gas generator supported within the liquid container saidgenerator having an outlet passage opening generator in all positions ofthe extinguisher.

172' In a fire extinguisher a liquid container for fire extinguishingliquid, a gas generator supportedwithinthe liquid container, a containerfora gasgenerating liquid and a con- "tainer forfl'a gas generatingmaterial in said container, an outlet passage leading from said intotheeontainer above the liquid level therei thei'nl'et to' saidpas'sagewhen tlieextiiiguisher tank for fire extinguishing liquid, a gas gen-'ei ator supported Within saidtank comprising aclos'ed c'ontainer,' gasgenerating materials supported ithinsaid container and arranged toumtejvl en'the generator is inverted,[sa1d container having an openinglocatedabovethe fire'extinguishing' liquid"in the normal upiight'position "of }-.extinguisher,fivhicliopening opens from said generatorat the top whereby theflire extinguishingliquid cannot pass'iiito thegasgenerator through said openerator supported Within saidtankcomprising a casing, gas generating materials Witliinsaid casingarrangedto unite when the generatoris inverted'a nd a tube for conveyinggases out of said casing whichltube opens into thecasing'toivard thecentral portion thereof and has its outlet tofthe exteriorof the casingat a a point above the normalliquid level ofthe fire extinguisherliquidivhen the tank is in uprightnorinal position and so arranged that.

the gas generating inaterial will not, pass out of thecasi'ng throughsaid outlet tube, I I 20;]In' affirefighting device,a tanlcfor a fireextinguishing liquid having an opening, 'agas generator 111 said tanksupported adjacenttl e top thereof compr s ng a tubular casing having anopeningat its top end in the normal upr ghtposition thereof and aclosure therefor; an outlet opening in said generator adjacent thetop,gas generating materials in said casing arranged to unite to create.pres-' sure when the generatoris inverted,.a tubular -meinber in saidcasing in communication with the outlet opening ofsaid generatoroperable I and so arranged as to exclude the" fire extinj I guishingliquid from, the generator in the norinal upright position .ofthe tankand when the tankis invertedtoaiford a gas passage from the generatorand provide neans to prevent: .fentra imentof the gas generatingmaterials.

gas; generator comprising atubular 'casing,',having a rigidly sealedbottomat one endaiid an: opening and aclosurethereforat the other end,saidgenerator having an outlet athacent the topend thereofareceptaclehav ing a stopper n said generator toearry agas I generatingmaterial, another I gas generating material in said generator, the gasgenerating inaterials 'being so arranged as to unite to cre-=atepressurevvhen: tlietank is jlDVQItGCL-lntlilllfl said. generator.arranged to govern thev iae em ntsierj the stopper and tliereceptac'lewhen the extinguisher is invertedand tubular I means n communicationi'vi'th said outlet to ator isinverted. II I II I I 22.111 afirefighting device, a tankfor fire extinguishing liquid having anopening and I v 19, 111;afire extinguisher in "eoiiiloination a tank forfireextinguishing liqu d, agas genprevent the entrainment of the gasgenerating a closure therefor and a discharge outlet, said opening beingabove the normal l quid level of the tank in its normal upright positionthereof,a gas generator in said tank having an outlettherefrom, a gasgeneratingmaterialin said generator a receptacle for anothergasgenerating material, said gas generating matef'rials'being lield in aseparated condition and inafterials'inthe outgoing gas when thegenerarrangedtounite to create pressure Wlltll sa/ i d tank isiuvertetl, a tubular member in said generator n C QDUDHHICZIUOHWlbll thegenerator outlet Wi tli its inletfrom the generator above o-ne of thegas generating materials in the normal uprightposition of the tank andsoa'rranged, as to convey the generated gas fro n'said generator wheninverted. l

23. In a'lirefighting device, a container for fire extinguishing liquidhaving an opening and a: closure therefor-above the liquid level thereinin the normal uprightpo'sitionthere ofpand a discharge outlet thereforabove the normal liquid level in the upright position of the container,a chem cal gas generator in said container having an outlet to ,theexterior thereof intact from the container liquid and above the normalliquidlevelthereof in the upright position of said container a chamber.in sa dgenerator ad]acen t one end thereof to hold a gas generat ngmaterial, a: receptacle iii said generator to lioldanother gas generat111g material, said gas generating materials bejing arranged, to createapressure Whenthe container is inverted, a chamber at the other end ofthe generator adapted to receive the gas generating materials when theextinguisher is v nverted and tubular means having an inlet incoiniiiuii ication with said generator outlet and positioned to preventthe gas generating 'n ater alsheing e ectedto the exterior of thegenerator, vvlien the container is inverted. I

'gi fii'e fighting device, a container for fire extinguishing liquidhaving an outlet and an opening with a closure therefor,

said outlet being above the normal liquid level in said container in thenormal upright 1 position thereof, a gas generator in said cont'ainerhaving an opening therefrom at a point above the normal liquid level inthe container in theflnormal upright position thereofggas generating niaterials in said generator soarranged as to create a gas pre's-- surewhen the container inverted; and. means inthe line of the gaspassagebetveen the seat of the reaction ofthe generating materials and theinterioi' of said container 1 operable to, stagger thefgas andpi'evcntthe entrainment of the generating materials w th the generatedgas Whenthe container is in e t d-4, .l

.2 5. ,.In agas'jgeneratora container for gas 7 ism generating materialshaving an opening with a. removable cover, gas generating materials insaid container including'a gas generating liquid said gas generatingmaterials being normally held in separated relation, a tubular memberfor conducting the generated gas from said container to the outletopening to the exterior thereof adjacent to the top or cover end, saidtubular member opening into the container substantially centrallythereof whereby the opening of said outlet will be above the level ofliquid in the container to prevent escape of liquid through said tubularmember in either upright or inverted position of the container.

26. In a fire extinguisher, a tank for a fire extinguishing liquidhaving an opening and a closure therefor above the normal liquid leveltherein in its upright position, a chemical gas generator in said tankhaving an outlet therefrom above the liquid level therein in the normalupright position thereof, generating materials in said tank held in aseparated condition and operable to unite when the tank is inverted tocreate a pressure to eject the liquid from said tank and means in saidtank to retard the entrainment of the gas generating materials with thegenerated gas.

27. In a fire extinguisher, in combination, a tank for a fireextinguishing liquid having an opening and a cover therefor, and adischarge outlet, a gas generator in said tank comprising a casing, agas generating ma terial in said generator, a tubular member within saidgenerator arranged to conduct generated gas from the generator to thetank, a receptacle for another gas generating material maintained inpredetermined position by said tubular member, said tubular memberhaving an inlet from the gas generator above the level of one ofthe gasgenerating materials when the container is in normal up-.

right position, the gas generating materials being arranged to unitewhen the generator is inverted.

28. A chemical gas generator comprising a chamber, chemical gasgenerating means maintained in said chamber in a separated condition andarranged to unite to create gas when the generator is inverted, a tubeopening into said generator at a distance from the top thereof andopening therefrom through the top of the generator in its normal uprightposition and arranged to convey thegenerated gas therefrom and excludethe gas generating materials from the exterior thereof when thegenerator is inverted.

29. In a fire fighting device, a tank for a fire extinguishing liquidhaving an opening,

a gas generator in said tank having an opening and supported adjacent tothe top there of, said generator having a closure for. the opening andan outlet at the top end thereof, a gas generating material in saidgenerator, a receptacle in said generator to contain another gasgenerating material, a tubein saidgenera-tor connected to the outlethaving an inlet thereto positioned intermediate the gas generatingmaterials in the normal upright position of the tank and above both gasgenerating materials when the extinguisher tank has been inverted.

30. In a fire extinguisher, a container for a fire extinguishing liquidhaving an outlet, a chemical gas generator in said container to containgas generating materials held in separated condition and operable tounite to create pressure when the container is inverted, said generatorhaving an outlet to connect the interior of the generator with theexterior thereof above the liquid level in the container, tubular meansconnected with said outlet to conduct the generated gas to the exteriorthereof, and means to shut off communication between the interior of thegenerator and the exterior of the container when the container is in itsnormal upright position.

31. In a fire extinguisher a container for a fire extinguishing liquid,a chemical gas generator 111 said container to contain gas generatingmaterials held in a separated coir dition said gas generator having apassage opening into said container at a point re moved from. the seatof reaction of the gas generating materials when the container isinverted and passing toward the top of said generator to a point abovethe level of the liquid in the container when the extinguisher is'inupright position, said passage opening into said container.

Signed at the cityof New York in the county of and State of New Yorkthis 10th day of June, 1920.

eno. r. PEARSONS.

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